The Western Bulldogs have confirmed five inclusions for Friday night’s blockbuster clash with the GWS Giants at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Chasing a sixth consecutive win to start 2021, the ladder-leading Bulldogs have made a host of changes.
Only one of those is forced, with defender Bailey Williams ruled out due to a collarbone injury.
As confirmed by senior coach Luke Beveridge on Wednesday, reigning Charles Sutton Medallist Caleb Daniel (suspension) and ruckman Stefan Martin (managed) will return from one-week absences.
Speedster Laitham Vandermeer will also return, after being a late withdrawal last week due to back spasms.
Two experienced players will make their first AFL appearances for 2021 – Zaine Cordy and Lin Jong.
Jong, who has starred at VFL level over the past month, last featured at senior level in round five last year.
Making way from the team that defeated the Gold Coast Suns last week are debutant Jordon Sweet, Lewis Young, Pat Lipinski, Lachie McNeil and medical sub Ben Cavarra.
McNeil has been named as an emergency, alongside Josh Schache, Buku Khamis and Roarke Smith.
The match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Fox Footy.
Footscray’s VFL clash with the GWS Giants will also be broadcast live on Fox Footy, on Thursday night from 7pm – with the first bounce at 7.15pm.
ROUND 6 TEAM
GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs
Friday 23 April, 7.50pm AEST
Manuka Oval, Canberra
B: Taylor Duryea, Alex Keath, Easton Wood
HB: Laitham Vandermeer, Aaron Naughton, Lachie Hunter
C: Caleb Daniel, Bailey Smith, Bailey Dale
HF: Adam Treloar, Zaine Cordy, Josh Dunkley
F: Tim English, Josh Bruce, Marcus Bontempelli
R: Stefan Martin, Jack Macrae, Tom Liberatore
Int: Anthony Scott, Jason Johannisen, Hayden Crozier, Lin Jong
Emer: Josh Schache, Buku Khamis, Lachie McNeil, Roarke Smith
In: Stefan Martin, Zaine Cordy, Laitham Vandermeer, Caleb Daniel, Lin Jong
Out: Bailey Williams (collarbone), Lewis Young, Ben Cavarra, Pat Lipinski, Lachie McNeil, Jordon Sweet
